Super Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho

The room was stylish, clean, and well equipped. We had a double with a larger table, which gave us a little more space than a typical Japanese hotel room. There was enough room to move around and tuck our suitcases neatly beside the bed against the wall. It had air conditioning, a TV, a Japanese toilet with several functions, a bathtub, and a hair dryer. Each day we left used towels in a small black bag outside the door and got clean ones, two small bottles of water, and rubbish removal in return. The main annoyance was the very high floor steps, especially near the bathroom. Even with warning signs, they were easy to trip over. The signs are doing their best, but our feet can’t read, and our brains get the message a few seconds too late. After 9 PM there’s no one at reception, so you have to carry or remember the entrance code to get in at night. The doors are usually open again around 9:30 in the morning, and the code system makes sense for security. The hotel was exceptionally clean, and the staff were very polite and helpful. Their hospitality felt even warmer than the Japanese service people already know. Guests can borrow different hair dryers, straighteners, and beauty tools in the lobby near reception, plus specialty pillows. Pajamas, disposable razors, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and indoor slippers are free to use. At certain times there are complimentary soft drinks, tea, and coffee. From afternoon until about 9 PM, there are also alcoholic drinks to mix yourself, which was a fun and unusual extra. Breakfast was plentiful and varied. We enjoyed it, though as Western travellers we missed toppings like cheese, cucumber, and tomato for the bread. There are three washing machines and three dryers on the second floor. A 30-minute wash costs 100 yen, while the dryers are free. The hotel provides detergent and fabric softener. The public bath is also on that floor and has separate hours for men and women. Tattoos aren’t allowed in the bath.